1. Sayest thou what?!
INTRODUCTION an
LANGUAGE
to the of
SHAKESPEARE

2. YE SHALL OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE!
Why dost thou hate me?
Greatest obstacle between Shakespeare’s plays and students is the unfamiliar language
The language he used is referred to as Elizabethan English, after Queen Elizabeth I who ruled during his time
Different from modern-day English, it is a challenge for even the best readers!
YE SHALL OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE!

3. Iambic pentameter ne’er doth go out of style!
Shakespeare wrote his poems and plays in the style of iambic pentameter.
This is a pattern of rhythm, or meter, in which most lines contain five unstressed syllables each followed by a stressed syllable
His plays were written in blank verse, or unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter

4. Iambic Pentameter Example
u / u / u / u / u /
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
u / u / u / u / u /
He thinks too much, such men are dangerous.
From Julius Caesar, Act I, scene ii
Canst thou imagine writing an entire play in this style?

5. Shortn’d wi’ contractions
Shakespeare uses many contractions, particularly to maintain iambic pentameter
Examples:
wi’=with
e’en=even
e’er=ever
ne’er=never
‘tis=it is
‘twas=it was

6. Fear not, thy thee’s and thou’s
Thee and thou = you
Thy = your
Follows a pattern:
Subject
Object
Possessive Adjective
Possessive Pronoun
You
Your
Yours
Thou
Thee
Thy
Thine Ye
Singular
Plural

7. Fear not, thy thee’s and thou’s
Examples:
Thou (Subject): “Thou art my brother.”
“You are my brother .”
Thee (Object): “Come, let me clutch thee.”
Come , let me hold you.
Thy (Possessive Adj.): “What is thy name?”
“What is your name ?”
Thine (Possessive Noun) “To thine own self be true.”
“To my own self be true .”
Ye (Plural Subject): “Ye shall know me.”
“You shall know me. “

8. ‘Tis tricky, the conjugation of thy verbs
Verb conjugation also follows a pattern
More complicated than modern-day
2nd person singular adds –est (Thou givest)
3rd person singular ads –eth (He giveth)
Singular
Plural
I speak
We speak
Thou speakest
Ye speak
He/she/it speaketh
They speak

9. prithee, translate them.
Mark my words, then,
prithee, translate them.
10 Frequently
Encountered
Words
found in
SHAKESPEARE

10. Oft encountr’d words Translation? anon (adv.) soon, shortly, presently
“I will speak with you further anon.”
(AWI.iii.122)
Translation?
“I will speak with you
further shortly.”

11. Oft encountr’d words Translation? aught (n.) anything
“Though you respect not aught, your servant doth.”
(TG V.iv.20)
Translation?
“Though you respect
nothing, your servant does.”

12. Oft encountr’d words Translation?
base (adj.) dishonorable, low, unworthy
“…basest theft is that / Which cannot
cloak itself on poverty.”
(E3 II.ii.80)
Translation?
“The lowest type of theft is that which cannot be blamed on poverty.”

13. Oft encountr’d words hie (v.) go quickly, hurry
“Hie you home to dinner.”
(CE I.ii.90)
Translation?
“Hurry home for dinner.”

14. Oft encountr’d words
mark (v.) pay attention to, take notice of “Marked you his lip and eyes?”
(Cor I.i.253)
Translation?
“Did you notice his lips
and eyes?”

15. Oft encountr’d words Translation? meet (adj.) suitable, proper, right
“It is most meet we arm us 'gainst the foe.”
(H5 II.iv.15)
Translation?
“It is right for us to arm ourselves against our enemy.”

16. Oft encountr’d words marry (int.) indeed
“Marry, sir, I am helping you.”
(AYL I.i.30)
Translation?
“Indeed, sir, I am helping you.”

17. Oft encountr’d words Translation? prithee (int.) please, I ask you
(short for ”I pray thee.”)
“I prithee, lady, have a better cheer.”
(AW III.ii.64)
Translation?
“Please, lady, cheer up.”

18. Oft encountr’d words Translation? wont (v.) be accustomed, likely to
“I have not from your eyes that gentleness / And show of love as I was wont to have.”
(JC I.ii.34)
Translation?
“I don’t see that gentleness and love in your eyes that I am accustomed to.”

19. Oft encountr’d words Translation? wot (v.) learn, know, be told
“We English warriors wot not what
it means.”
(Cor I.i.253)
Translation?
“We English warriors don’t’ know what it means.”

20. Elizabethan Language Glossary
Adieu—farewell
An—if
Anon—soon, at once
Art—are
Aught—anything
Aye, ay—yes
Base—low, dishonorable
Befall—happen, occur, take place
Counsel—advice
Coz—cousin, any close relative
Discourses—speaks
Dispatch—to send away or kill
Dost, doth—do, does
E’en—even, evening
Ere– before
Fain—gladly, willingly
Foe—enemy
Good-den, do-den—good evening
Good morrow—-good day
Hap, haply—lucky, luckily
Hast, hath—have, has
Heavy--sad
Hie—go quickly
Hither—here
Humor—mood, frame of mind
Knave—young boy, servant
Liege—king master, lord
Maid—an unmarried woman
Mark—pay attention to
Marry—indeed, of course
Meet—suitable, proper
Methinks—I think
Nay—no
N’er—never
Nought—nothing
Oft—often
Perchance—perhaps, maybe
Pray—beg
Prithee—please (I ask you)
Privy—informed
Quoth—said
Resolve—plan
Sirrah—boy, usually of low rank
Soft—hush, wait a minute
Tarry—wait, linger
Tax—criticize, accuse
Thee, thou—you
Thither—there
Thy—your
Tidings—news
Tis—it is
Verily—truly
Wench—girl, young serving woman
Wherefore--why
Whither—where, to where
Will—desire
Withal—with, in addition, also
Woe—misery
Wont—likely to, be accustomed to
Woo—to romance a woman or man
Wot—know
Would—wish
Yond, yonder— over there
*Can be printed and used to help decipher meaning as you read

21. ‘Tis time
for thee to practice.
Language
PRACTICE & ACTIVITIES

22. For thy practice
“Shall we now / Contaminate our fingers with base bribes?”
“For such a guest is meet.”
“I'll remember't anon.”
“I wot well where he is.”
“Mark how the tyrant writes.”
“Prithee hie thee; he'll come anon.”
(JC IV.iii.24)
(Ham V.i.95, 119)
(Cym III.v.132)
(RJ III.ii.139)
(AYL IV.iii.40)
(Oth IV.iii.47)

23. Art thy responses similar?
“Shall we dirty our hands with such dishonorable bribes?”
“For such a guest is suitable.”
“I'll remember it shortly.”
“I know well where he is.”
“Pay attention to how the tyrant writes.”
“Please go quickly; he'll be here
shortly.”

24. All the world’s a stage. Thou shalt be a player.
Shakespearean Skit Activity:
Working in groups of three or four, choose one of the scenarios provided
Write a scene (minimum 20 lines) using modern-day English.
Translate your scene into Elizabethan language (use your glossary!)
Present your scene to the class.

25. All the world’s a stage. Thou shalt be a player.
Skit Scenarios (choose one):
A young man visits the parent(s) of his future bride, asking for permission for her hand. The reaction is not what he expects.
Students are gossiping about a fellow student. What they don’t’ realize is that he or she is in the next room hearing every word.
During a job interview, a young professional tries to impress his or her potential boss, only to embarrass him/herself terribly.
A fast-food customer tries to order everything but what is on the actual menu, causing the cashier or cook to do something unexpected.

26. A B or not a B. Hie thee for an A!
Skit Rubric
Master
(4-5)
Apprentice
(2-3)
Novice
(0-1)
Content
Skit clearly, accurately and creatively portrays an understanding of the language of Shakespeare.
Skit adequately demonstrates a basic understanding of the language of Shakespeare.
Skit may incorrectly portray some of the language of Shakespeare or may be too brief to demonstrate understanding.
Organization
Skit is well-written and easy to follow, with a clear beginning, middle and ending.
Skit is mostly clear and easy to follow.
Skit may be difficult to follow in spots or overall.
Presentation
Presenters are well-prepared, enthusiastic and engaging. Skit is clearly rehearsed.
Presenters are mostly engaging. Skit shows some preparation.
Presenters may lack enthusiasm, seem uninvolved or unprepared. Skit could use more rehearsal.
Collaboration
Group works together seamlessly, with all members contributing evenly.
Group works together, with all members contributing.
Group may show discord or a lack of involvement, or the group is carried by only one or two members.

27. Gramercy!
Thanks so much for your purchase! Looking for even more activities and fun? Check out my “Language of Shakespeare: Activities & Printables” packet, including:
Overview/lesson instructions
Elizabethan glossary handout
Translation practice worksheet
Completed answer key
Shakespeare “Song Tweet” activity
Extension sonnet activity
Skit handout, including additional scenario options
Skit planner graphic organizer
Printable rubric

28. Gramercy! You may also like: Thanks again for your support!
Thanks again for your purchase! As always, I sincerely appreciate your support on TeachersPayTeachers!
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Julius Caesar Pre-reading Five Corners Activity
Short Story Close Reading Mega-Bundle
Vocabulary Mega-Pack: Games, Activities, Printables & More
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Carla McLeod